Thorn in My Heart (Lowlands of Scotland Series #1)

In spite of human tendency to be ruled by lust, greed, and self-gratification, this story is one of many in biblical text that affirm God's willingness to stand by us unconditionally until we are rendered able for His will to prevail.

I normally don't buy Christian fiction with these types of covers. I look for a totally different type of cover design to catch my eye. I like intriguing, eerie or frightening, moody type of book covers. Speculative Fiction type of fiction. The types of fiction Higgs genre falls into gives us Christian fiction that (often) is poorly written, thinly plotted, tame versions of bodice rippers. Against my better judgment, I bought the first in this Lowlands of Scottland series but I am so glad I did. I couldn't put the Kindle books down, and I usually read fiction mainly just before bedtime. This series, I read throughout the day and night. It was fantastic!One side note - the third book in the series, "Whence Came a Prince" is NOT in Kindle format. I was so confused by this. I had to buy it in iBook/Apple format via iTunes because I won't buy paper books any longer. I had to read it on my iPad, not my preferred reading device. I'd rather read with my Kindle. I found it odd that all the other books in the series were in Kindle format but not the third in the series and just wanted to give a heads up in case other Kindle owners are like me - paper books are a thing of the past.SPOILER ALERTI read a review where someone said how she hated Leana, "let me count the ways," and I definitely can see why the reader became frustrated with Leana. It was a well written critique. I will say this though, Leana became a virtuous woman, emphasis on "became." I don't believe the author wanted us to believe Leana, unlike her impetuous and younger sister Rose, was always a virtuous woman who always behaved virtuously. I think that was one of the points of the story. While, as the critic said, the author was obviously rooting for Leana, I saw nothing wrong with making Leana our Biblical hero in that while certainly imperfect, ultimately she would turn to God in her weakness and ultimately, God honored her commitment to Him.I believe the author portrayed a woman who truly sought after God's heart, realized her sins committed against her sister Rose, her family and her cousin Jamie who she falls almost instantly madly in love with. She tried to overcome her weaknesses as virtuous women often are successful at doing. Even a great woman of God is not perfect. What makes the woman a great woman of virtue is that despite her weaknesses and prone to sin, she overcomes and always tries to avoid the sin, but if she succumbs, immediately is repentant before the Lord.So, having defended that apparent weakness with this series (there is one more I will get to), I have to say that as a Speculative Fiction fan, I was surprised by how this story drew me in. I became completely involved with each of the main characters and was unable to accurately predict most of the plot twists and turns. Higgs can weave a "bonny" tale, that is no lie.I will say there was one major flaw in the plot though. The entire series hinged on Jamie's deception that tricked his father into claiming him heir of his estate. This plot element was based on the Biblical story of Isaac and Rebecca and their twin sons Jacob and Esau.The way the ruse was easily executed in Higgs novel was due to the blindness of the father Alec McKie. While the first book made it clear he wasn't totally blind, the definitely indication was that he was nearly completely blind.Here is the major flaw, even though the third book in the series ends two years later, with Jamie returning home after being forced to flee for his life. Alec McKie seems to have recovered much of his eyesight in "Whence Came a Prince". If anything, his blindness should have progressed, as it is revealed early on the man was not blind from birth.In the third book, there is a clear reference to Alec McKie's ability to see the way Leana looks at his son with loving eyes. This coming from the same man who couldn't tell that his dark-haired and smooth skinned son was tricking him into giving him his blessing (giving Jamie the rights to the estate), instead of the rightful heir, the bright red-haired, hairy elder son Ethan. All due to Alec's near total blindness.I was stunned by the numerous references to the father's ability to suddenly see things he hadn't before the third book, recognizing people as he entered a room etc. Whereas he heretofore in the first book was so blind he seemed feeble and unable to get from room to room without assistance. That is essentially the only reason I did not give this series five stars.Other than that pretty glaring flaw, which actually happened in the third book of the series, "Whence Came a Prince", "Thorn in my Heart" Book 1 and "Fair is the Rose" Book 2 as well as "Whence Came a Prince" Book 3 in the series totally captured my heart.I have rarely ever read any fiction (and I'm a 53 year old Nanna) that not only brought tears to my eyes in several instances of the story, but in one particular occurrence, made my heart pound as if I were watching an exciting and enthralling movie. My reading choice is first non-fiction, second Christian speculative fiction. That's why I have avoided Higgs books. I thought they were sanitized Christian romance novels. I also avoid fiction with a lot of accented dialogues as this series has. The Scottish brogue she depicted wasn't nearly as difficult to get through as I thought it would be and in fact, became quite entertaining. This coming from a full-blooded Italian-American with nary a spot of Scottish blood in her DNA.Higgs is a great historical romance novelist. She's a master story-teller and has won me over completely. I plan to read all of her other fiction and have already started the fourth in the series "Grace In Thine Eyes."

What a wonderful book! It keeps you on the edge throughout the whole book, I can’t wait to start the next one!!! What lessons she teaches! Love! Love! Love it!!!!

I know women were oppressed even by their own father’s back then, but it upsets me to read about it especially when the men thought it’s what God wanted which he doesn’t and never did.

I have been a Christian for almost 10 years, and I can say with complete truth that I despise Christian novels. Every one that I have read in the past has been dripping with "cheesy" sentiment and unrealistic dialogue about life & God. Not a single one has succeeded at capturing my attention, let alone my heart.UNTIL NOW.I have read many, many books in my life, and not a single one has effected me as deeply as Thorn In My Heart. It is hands down one of the most amazing, heart-wrenching, thought provoking pieces of literature I have ever read (and yes, I feel it is so good that it deserves to be called literature). Not only does it present God & Christianity in a realistic and inviting light, but it also succeeds at not being preachy or annoyingly coy with it's message. ANY person, regardless of religion will find this book a wonderful read, and it will raise questions about God's purpose and will in their own life. The book was also a delight for me, as it made me reevaluate my perception of the classic Bible story. It never even occurred to me that things might have happened the way that Liz Curtis Higgs suggests, making it a great discussion book!READ THIS BOOK - I promise that it will break your heart, and you won't regret it for a moment!

In 1788 Scotland, twin brothers, Evan and Jamie McKie vie for a father's blessing. When the elder McKie gives the blessing to the wrong brother, chaos and murderous threats ensue. Driven away from the prosperous estate of Glentrool by his jealous brother, Jamie flees to his uncle Lachlan's property of Auchengray with the blessing of his mother, Rowena. Once there, he hides his true intentions of seeking a bride among his cousins Leana and Rose, and agrees to work for a month for his uncle Lachlan while he decides which cousin to marry.Somehow, everything goes wrong. From his wedding, to which woman he truly chose, to his return to Glentrool. Plagued by the deceit of the past and the lies of the present, hidden secrets and two sisters that vie for his heart, Jamie is torn between what is right - and what truly belongs to him.From the beginning of this book till the last page, Thorn in My Heart will capture your imagination and your heart. The very human struggles each character faces, will endear them to you even more. The harshness of a father. The love of two sisters. And the undeserved redemption and forgiveness offered to one man who neither wants nor deserves it. It is a thrilling peek into the lives of a family that is very much like our own, who face the same challenges we do, and are as human as we are. A wonderful, recommended book and series.

This is an excellent parallel story to the Leah story in the Bible.It certainly puts meat to bone to the story esp in parts where the Bible stays silent and we in our 21st century thinking cannot be able to fathom or comprehend. Certainly makes the story more exciting.

This book displays that boundless love brings repentance and humility. Love never fails. It's portrays that love is not about feeling, but sacrifice.

Read Fair is the Rose and decided to read this sequel & found it totally unbelievable. This is second of a trilogy, don't think I could endure a third book. Quite well written detail but storyline was poor.

Another wonderful story about Jacob and Esau with their wives. Held my attention from beginning to end. Very well written

american author writing about 18th century scotland, scottish words in italics with glossary at the back of the book for those not in the know..! Easy to read and be carried along with the storyline